Shoe filler



O. BOIVIN Dec. 10, 1940.

SHOE FILLER Filed Dec. 2, 1938 Inventor Attorney fZZ'ofaZo n 5% Y rimmed Dec. 1o, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE snoE FILLEB.

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in shoe filler construction.

An object of the invention is the provision of a shoe filler of generally improved construction. Another object of the invention is the provision of a shoe filler which will retain its original condition for a long time.

A further object of the invention is the provi sion of a shoe ller having eflicient insulating qualities.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a shoe ller designed to provide eilcient Ventilating means in a shoe bottom.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a shoe ller designed to provide channels in the ball section of a shoe bottom for air circulation and cooling.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a shoe ller of the aforesaid character which is strong, flexible and comfortable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the improved filler,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section through the filler in bent arrangement,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a shoe equipped with the improved ller partly broken away to illustrate the interior construction.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodi- 40 ment of the invention, I0 generally designates a sheet body member formed of strong, flexible material, such as leather. O n the inner or bottom surface of the member I0 are formed a plurality of, in the present instance four, transverse- 45 ly extending ribs II projecting from the inner face and of a thickness substantially corresponding to the thickness of the body I0. As shown to advantage at Figure 4, these ribs extend across the ball portion of the member I0 and are 50 spaced apart to form channels I2 of a Width substantially exceeding that of the ribs.

To the inner or bottom surface of the member I0 is secured a complementary bottom layer C,

constituting a relatively thick layer of cork, ap-

55 plied to cover the undersurface of the body sec- Application December 2, 1938, Serial No. 243,592

(o1. acs- 3) tion with the exception of the projecting ribs I I. This bottom layer, which-may be of uniform thickness throughout, is preferably applied to form a rear section I4 extending from the rearmost rib II to the rear edge of the heel, covering the shank and h eel portions, as shown at Figure 2. At the forward portion of the filler is provided a front section I5 extending from the foremost rib II to the front edge of the toe. Intermediate sections, in the forms of straight 1 elongated strips I6, are tted and secured in the channels I2 formed between the respective ribs I I. Inasmuch as the bottom layer C of the composite assembly is preferably of a thickness substantially exceeding that of the ribs II, the formation hereinbefore described provides grooves II therein, corresponding to the width of the ribs and extending the full width of the layers. In the bottom exposed surface of the layer C is also formed a groove I8 extending in an approximately longitudinal direction across and intersecting the transverse grooves I1, although actually the groove I8 may extend in a straight line at an angular inclination to the longitudinal line of the article. At its ends, which terminate forward and rearward of the transverse grooves I1, the longitudinal groove I8 communicates with a pair of apertures I9 through the two face to face layers, providing vent openings.

When assembled in a shoe bottom, as illustrated at Figure 5, the two-layer filler is accurately tted within the cavity in the outline of the rib of an insole, indicated at I, that is, between the central area of the insole and the outsole O. For such assembly, the insole I is preferably provided with holes H formed in correspondence with the vent apertures I9 in the filler, so that air may properly circulate through the` main longitudinal groove I 8 and the cross grooves I'I. This enables very eflicient air circulation and cooling of the shoe bottom, particularly at the ball of the foot, and at the same time enables convenient exing thereat, as indicated at Figure 3. Furthermore, the present filler will not atten or curl but will maintain an even top surface free from depressions or wrinkles and, due to its structure and assembly, in the cavity of an insole, will remain properly in place at all times. The grooves in the flller impart great flexibility thereto while its insulating qualities provide a shoe sole which is relatively cool in summer and warm in winter.

It is to be understood that the form of my lnvention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and

of cork secured in face to Iacerelation with the inner side of the other layer and covering the underside of the latter with `the exception of the ribs to form transverse grooves in the said cork layer, the bottom face of theicork layer beingl formed with a. groove intersecting the said trans'- verse grooves and communicating with the vent apertures in the top layer.

2. A shoe nller comprising a top leather layer having a pair of vent apertures formed therein in the ball and toe portions. a plurality of spaced transversely extending ribs ot thickness substantially corresponding to that ofthe top layer and.v on the inner face thereof substantially within the area limited by the vent apertures. and a bottom layer of cork secured in face to face rela-- tion with the inner side of the leather layer and thicker than the transverse ribs, said ribs being uncovered by cork to form transverse grooves in the cork layer of a depth less than the cork thickness, the bottom cork layer being furthermore provided with a groove intersecting the transverse' grooves and ending at each end in l5 one of the vent apertures of the leather layer. ODILON BOIVIN. 

